Socrates Return To The Cave Analysis

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In the Republic, Socrates affirms that in the ideal state the philosophers will have to be compelled to “return to the cave” and to take up their ideal position as rulers of the city. I feel that this compulsion is not really as such, and is simply indoctrination within the education of the ideal state. The concept of them being left alone comes to mind, as the philosopher is inherently different from most of his fellow man by the very nature of what defines him, a lover of knowledge. I show that again, within the system of their education to rule the city will align the philosopher most with what constitutes a happy and just life, the closest one can get to the good within the confines of the cave. The question then rolls towards whether …show more content…
They are of noble character from birth. To lead oneself out of the Cave, being illusion to the surface of the Platonic forms. This distinction is important, as it shows that through their entire childhood and education has been a process to weed out those of silver and bronze. However it also answers the question, if their very education has been manipulated to find the individuals who are to ascend from the Cave, would it not to be manipulated to create this compulsion to return? So it would be safe to presume that these individuals would be well indoctrinated in the principle of specialization, and to fulfill one’s societal role, and with the philosopher contributing their usefulness and value as ruler of the city. Understanding that a true philosopher will act justly in their pursuit of a just …show more content…
His analogy, of the just ruler and the unjust ruler ie tyrant, act as a launching point between the physical acts of the unjust, and that these people are themselves unjust because of said actions. This is where I run into a bit of a bridge, as Socrates tends to leap from the physical act of tyranny and attributing this as an immoral and unjust soul because of said action. Almost creating this black/white relationship of the just/unjust, and thus oversimplifying the realities of political rule within said state, to that of pure thought being in direct correlation to action. Thus making the Philosopher again out to be a ruler that transcends of shortcomings of our species and attains a benevolence that all but shouts, greater than

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